Bayern start preparations for new season with medical tests

Bayern Munich started preparations for the 2024-25 season with mandatory medical tests on Monday, but without the players who played at Euro 2024 and at the Copa America.

A number of stars of the German record champions, including Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry - who were not part of Germany's Euro 2024 squad - underwent various radiological and cardiological tests at Munich's Barmherzige Brüder hospital. Lung function and blood tests were also on the agenda.

In the afternoon, the players completed various tests for stamina, reaction and agility in individual groups in the club's performance centre.

The second part of the performance diagnostics programme is scheduled for Tuesday, before the players take to the pitch together for the first time on Wednesday under the guidance of new coach Vincent Kompany.

Both Goretzka dn Gnabry are considered possible transfer candidates this summer, while there's also speculation about the future of defender Matthijs de Ligt.

Bundesliga and German Cup champion Josip Stanisic, meanwhile, returned to Munich after the end of his loan to Bayer Leverkusen.

So far, Bayern have signed defender Hiroki Ito from VfB Stuttgart, midfielder João Palhinha form Fulham and winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for the new season.

Olise, however, is set to miss a big part of the pre-season and maybe the first few games of the season after being called up by coach Thierry Henry to the France squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The men's football tournament in France will take place from July 24 to August 9, with Bayern's first game of the season on August 16 against SSV Ulm in the German Cup and the Bundesliga starting a week later.

Players who participated in the Euro 2024 or in the Copa America will go on vacations and join the squad at the end of the month. Harry Kane, who was defeated with England by Spain in the Euro 2024 final, could also receive extra days off.

The pre-season programme includes, among other things, a training camp at Lake Tegernsee (July 22-24) and the Audi Summer Tour in South Korea (July 31 to August 5).